Dear friends,I would request that, whatever your practise, and however you do it, that you keep my elderly father in your thoughts.He is 88.

He has had cancer of the bladder.He broke his back 4 years ago.He has an enlarged prostate. He has osteoporosis.he has great difficulty walking.He was on a special diet to relieve the work of his kidneys, due to this cancer.Now, he is passing blood copiously, with his motions.So they have changed his diet, yet again....he has lost a great deal of weight, and is very weak.

They will be conducting further tests at the beginning of May to try to diagnose and establish the precise cause of this bleedingHe is on much medication.

I don't know whether this means he will get better, or he will die.I am aware of dying being a possibility.This is what happens to us all.so I do not necessarily request that you pray for his continued life.

I ask that you consider his discomfort and distress.And I ask you also to consider my mother (11 years his junior, but now his carer) and that she have the energy and stamina to be able to cope and be comforted. Life ends.This I know.So maybe this is then beginning of the end for him; who can tell.....?but I wish him relief and serenity. And I wish my mother fortitude and courage.That's all I ask of you, to join me in this prayer.

May your father be safe and protected,May he be happy of heart and mind,May he live with ease and wellbeing.

May both your mother and father become free from mental and physical pain,May they have happiness and the conditions for happiness.

mettaChris

---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

If you have asked me of the origination of unease, then I shall explain it to you in accordance with my understanding: Whatever various forms of unease there are in the world, They originate founded in encumbering accumulation. (Pārāyanavagga)

Exalted in mind, just open and clearly aware, the recluse trained in the ways of the sages:One who is such, calmed and ever mindful, He has no sorrows! -- Udana IV, 7

An aspiration to the Triple Gem for Fede's parents.(Adapted from The Paritta Chanting)Homage to the Blessed One, the Consummate One, the Supremely Enlightened One!

By the protective power of all the Buddhas, May healing, recovery and strength ever be theirs.By the protective power of all the Dhamma, May healing, recovery and strength ever be theirs.By the protective power of all the Sangha, May healing, recovery and strength ever be theirs.

By the power of the Buddha, May the ailments be rendered naught.By the power of the Dhamma, May the ailments be rendered naught.By the power of the Sangha, May the ailments be rendered naught.

May they be free from suffering.May they be free from fear.May they be free from grief.

By the assertion of this aspiration, May they ever be well.By the assertion of this aspiration, May they be free from illness.By the assertion of this aspiration, May all blessings be upon them.By the protective power of all Buddhas, Pacceka Buddhas and all Arahants,May they be secured with this Protection in every way.

"The serene and peaceful mind is the true epitome of human achievement."-- Ajahn Chah, Living Dhamma

"To reach beyond fear and danger we must sharpen and widen our vision. We have to pierce through the deceptions that lull us into a comfortable complacency, to take a straight look down into the depths of our existence, without turning away uneasily or running after distractions." -- Bhikkhu Bodhi

I thought that as you had all been so supportive and generous with your prayers and good wishes, I would provide an update...I spoke to my mother this morning (Monday 27th April) and I asked her how things were:

Bleeding has stopped although motions are still loose. he seems more attentive and 'Chipper' in the mornings, but towards the afternoon/evening, he 'deflates' and becomes withdrawn...

I asked her if anyone had prescribed something for anaemia.... she said no, but added that a medically -connected friend (She's a professor of dermatological diseases) had also commented that with such a high loss of blood this should have been a first priority.I then suggested she obtain a prescription for 5mg Folic acid, as pharmaceutical iron causes constipation.

She immediately agreed,and then thought it would be a good idea if she took them as well.... Mother is the one who passed on the Thalassaemia to me.... bless.... she's such a generous giving person...!

So things look a little calmer and less frantic....

Thank you all once again for your thoughts, good wishes and prayers.They mean so much to me....

If you have asked me of the origination of unease, then I shall explain it to you in accordance with my understanding: Whatever various forms of unease there are in the world, They originate founded in encumbering accumulation. (Pārāyanavagga)

Exalted in mind, just open and clearly aware, the recluse trained in the ways of the sages:One who is such, calmed and ever mindful, He has no sorrows! -- Udana IV, 7

Wishing that you and your parents will find strength, love and peace in this experience, Fede. As my grandparents got older it was hard but we learned a lot and all grew closer together...

"As Buddhists, we should aim to develop relationships that are not predominated by grasping and clinging. Our relationships should be characterised by the brahmaviharas of metta (loving kindness), mudita (sympathetic joy), karuna (compassion), and upekkha (equanimity)."~post by Ben, Jul 02, 2009